BTCC 2024 News & Rumours

[coffinpilot]

Really sad to see Rory Butcher go. Would love to believe it really is about wanting to try other things, or go back to sportscars. I honestly hope it is, but I think most people look at his statement and draw conclusions about the state of the championship.

[Craner Curves]

He's flattered to deceive in recent years.

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

He's flattered to deceive in recent years.

I'd have to agree with this. He seemed to start going off the boil to me in his later stint at Motorbase with occasional flashes of speed, but was very inconsistent. This appears to have continued at Toyota.

[Robin Marriott]

Originally Posted by coffinpilot

but I think most people look at his statement and draw conclusions about the state of the championship.

I can’t see anything in his statement which could be read as negative about the championship, so there’s a lot of lines being read between if anyone does think that.

[coffinpilot]

Originally Posted by Robin Marriott

I can’t see anything in his statement which could be read as negative about the championship, so there’s a lot of lines being read between if anyone does think that.

Of course there's nothing in the quote, it's all about reading between the lines.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by MarcusH26

https://www.autosport.com/btcc/news/butcher-takes-btcc-sabbatical-for-2024/10570553/

Rory Butcher to take the 2024 season off as a sabbatical.

Sad to see him go, but agree with comments that he was rather inconsistent in BTCC. With the exception of 2020, it always seemed to take him most of the season to get up to top speed.

It'll be interesting to see if he does end up in the world of GT racing as he suggests, and its a given that he'll be very quick in his historic racing appearances.

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by SSmith

Sad to see him go, but agree with comments that he was rather inconsistent in BTCC. With the exception of 2020, it always seemed to take him most of the season to get up to top speed.

It'll be interesting to see if he does end up in the world of GT racing as he suggests, and its a given that he'll be very quick in his historic racing appearances.

Back where he was previously. I remember him driving a KTM Crossbow in British GT.

[Matt K]

Quite a shame. Butcher was never really a title contender and Toyota seasons proved he'd probably never be but nevertheless was among the quality drivers and it's never good to see those drivers go while they still could be on the grid for some years. Unfortunately, it's been pretty clear some of the better drivers will simply not make it to the grid. Would reckon Butcher's priority was to be on the grid but money talks of course.

[SSmith]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

Back where he was previously. I remember him driving a KTM Crossbow in British GT.

Yes, the X-Bow was a weird looking thing wasn't it? Arguably he was a better GT racer than touring car racer across PCCGB for Celtic Speed, British GT, ELMS, Daytona 24hrs, GTWCE. I remember him in a Motorbase entered Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 in British GT and the old Blancpain series.

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by SSmith

Sad to see him go, but agree with comments that he was rather inconsistent in BTCC. With the exception of 2020, it always seemed to take him most of the season to get up to top speed.

It'll be interesting to see if he does end up in the world of GT racing as he suggests, and its a given that he'll be very quick in his historic racing appearances.

and

Originally Posted by Matt K

Quite a shame. Butcher was never really a title contender and Toyota seasons proved he'd probably never be but nevertheless was among the quality drivers and it's never good to see those drivers go while they still could be on the grid for some years. Unfortunately, it's been pretty clear some of the better drivers will simply not make it to the grid. Would reckon Butcher's priority was to be on the grid but money talks of course.

I certainly agree that he has been pretty inconsistent over the last couple of years, but I'm afraid that I don't consider him to be one of the quality drivers in the BTCC. I think that he is one of those that has a tendency to overdrive the car, and because of this he has been involved in a number of incidents over the years.

There is no doubt that he could be a quick driver at times, but I doubt whether he would be a real championship contender, not when there are the likes of Sutton, Ingram and Turkington around.

[Matt K]

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

and




I certainly agree that he has been pretty inconsistent over the last couple of years, but I'm afraid that I don't consider him to be one of the quality drivers in the BTCC. I think that he is one of those that has a tendency to overdrive the car, and because of this he has been involved in a number of incidents over the years.

There is no doubt that he could be a quick driver at times, but I doubt whether he would be a real championship contender, not when there are the likes of Sutton, Ingram and Turkington around.

Actually agree, also had some of his pretty average moves in mind when writing this and true, his driving was at times a bit overaggressive and certainly didn't look 'quality.' Overall, however, I'd still rate him quite highly, among the top mid-pack drivers able to win races.

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by Matt K

Actually agree, also had some of his pretty average moves in mind when writing this and true, his driving was at times a bit overaggressive and certainly didn't look 'quality.' Overall, however, I'd still rate him quite highly, among the top mid-pack drivers able to win races.

Sad loss but not unexpected . We await confirmation on Collard Gamble and Toyota as a whole . If as some suggest we see totally new 2 x 2 car entry will be interesting to see make up and whom . If they enter as two teams like Hard tried to do so last year it will give 2 entries into team championships . Note although others enter more than 2 cars only 2 cars can contribute to teams points so no advantage in having larger teams .
Toyota can outflank us at times and could enter a driver no one forsees . Don’t forget the owning company has links in other championships and disciplines so would be too surprising . As I have stated before Gamble/Moffatt are far from shoe ins and may help add to entries elsewhere .
Interesting that we now have drivers from Toyota Hyundai and BMW all saying car didn’t handle as desired last year . Shows how well sorted that Ford was but only 12 months earlier situation was reversed .

[Daverb]

Or is Toyota gone?

[Protonman]

Originally Posted by Daverb

Or is Toyota gone?

Anything but if you read all the article . Christian Dick seems unconcerned about Butchers decision which shows little sign of incriminations or blame for the circumstances . It’s clear the decision is Butchers alone and has been made mutually . Extra TBA shows intent and team refuses to speculate with press while final deals are done, which hints at fact they may have more options than seats not less.

[antnee]

Is it Gamble who brings the Car Gods sponsorship? If they are going big elsewhere, they might do the same here which would pave the way for someone like Huff or Cook to be in a 2 car 'Car Gods' team

[Ant25]

My prediction on what drivers are in of a chance of being with Toyota.. huff,shedden,Thompson.watson and cook

[Craner Curves]

Originally Posted by Ant25

My prediction on what drivers are in of a chance of being with Toyota.. huff,shedden,Thompson.watson and cook

5 Toyotas?

[Ant25]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

5 Toyotas?

That’s my prediction of what drivers are on the list for the 4 Toyotas

[Evantra]

Originally Posted by Craner Curves

5 Toyotas?

Funding is getting so tight the drivers need to split the cost and swap over mid-race

[billy bleach]

Originally Posted by Ant25

My prediction on what drivers are in of a chance of being with Toyota.. huff,shedden,Thompson.watson and cook

Four of which don’t have the money

[SV8Predator]

Originally Posted by billy bleach

Four of which don’t have the money

Which again, is speculation, as you have no knowledge whatsoever of "who has the money".

[peebee2]

Originally Posted by Protonman

It’s clear the decision is Butchers alone and has been made mutually.

How can it be alone and mutual, they're basically the opposite of each other!

[Mike Harte]

Originally Posted by peebee2

How can it be alone and mutual, they're basically the opposite of each other!

It can be the opposite, however Butcher made his mind up about a course of action and took it to the team, and they came a mutual agreement that he would and could leave the team. We don't know what the contract was between the two parties; it could have well been that the team had an option on his services for this year, which then makes it possible that it genuinely was a mutual decision.

[ACF_]

Originally Posted by Ant25

My prediction on what drivers are in of a chance of being with Toyota.. huff,shedden,Thompson.watson and cook

I agree. I was also thinking of a possible move to Toyota for Chilton & Dan Zelos moves up the ExcelR8 "Ladder". But that's just my prediction & nothing concrete

[crmalcolm]

2024 TBL	2024 Team	Car	Driver	Status
Excelr8 Motorsport-1	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8	Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance	Pearson	Confirmed for 2 years in press release (24&25)
Excelr8 Motorsport-2	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8	Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance	Ingram	Discussed his 2024 aspirations at AI
Excelr8 Motorsport-3	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8	Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance	???	Title sponsor confirmed
Excelr8 Motorsport-4	Bristol Street Motors with EXCELR8	Hyundai i30 Fastback N Performance	???	Title sponsor confirmed
Alliance Racing-1	NAPA Racing UK	Ford Focus ST	Sutton	Confirmed in Press Release
Alliance Racing -2	NAPA Racing UK	Ford Focus ST	Cammish	Confirmed in Press Release
Alliance Racing -3	NAPA Racing UK	Ford Focus ST	Rowbottom	Confirmed in AI interview
Alliance Racing -4	NAPA Racing UK	Ford Focus ST	Osborne?
West Surrey Racing-1	Team BMW	BMW 330e M Sport	Turkington	Discussed his 2024 aspirations in interview
West Surrey Racing-2	Team BMW	BMW 330e M Sport	Morgan?
West Surrey Racing-3	Team BMW	BMW 330e M Sport	???
West Surrey Racing-4	Laser Tools Racing with MB Motorsport	BMW 330e M Sport	Hill	Confirmed in Press Release
Speedworks Motorsport-1	Toyota Gazoo Racing	Toyota Corolla GR Sport	???
Speedworks Motorsport-2	Toyota Gazoo Racing	Toyota Corolla GR Sport	Collard?	Team stated they are working on a deal
Speedworks Motorsport-3	Toyota Gazoo Racing	Toyota Corolla GR Sport	Gamble?	Team stated they are working on a deal
Speedworks Motorsport-4	Toyota Gazoo Racing	Toyota Corolla GR Sport	Huff?	Team stated they are evaluating
Power Maxed Racing-1	CarStore Power Maxed Racing	Vauxhall Astra	Taylor-Smith	Confirmed in Press Release (24&25)
Power Maxed Racing-2	CarStore Power Maxed Racing	Vauxhall Astra	Doble	Confirmed in Press Release
Power Maxed Racing-3	CarStore Power Maxed Racing	Vauxhall Astra	Watson?	Scheduled for official BTCC filming
Restart Racing-1	Restart Racing	Cupra León	Smiley	Confirmed in Press Release
Restart Racing-2	Restart Racing	Cupra León	Sumpton	Confirmed in Press Release
One Motorsport-1	One Motorsport?	Honda Civic Type R?	???
One Motorsport -2	One Motorsport?	Honda Civic Type R?	????
One Motorsport -3	One Motorsport?	Honda Civic Type R?	???
Aiden Moffat Racing-1	???	???	???
Aiden Moffat Racing-2	???	???	???
CBM Racing-1	???	???	???
Other Rumours
???	???	???	Hamilton	Spoke to ITV stating he is working on a deal
???	???	???	Thompson	Stated he is confident of being on the grid, and supported by Team Dynamics

Key:
Green/Bold – Confirmed in a press release since the start of 2023 season
Green – Confirmed in a press release prior to 2023 season
Amber – Indicated as happening by comments from official sources
Blue – Rumoured in multiple sources